Here is a breakdown of all our travel costs in Turks and Caicos to help you understand how much you should budget.

When planning a trip, we’re always looking for as much information as possible, including how much we should expect to spend! Remember that Turks and Caicos is known as a luxury destination, and they are just starting to open up tourism to a broader range of travelers. Our travel style has a wide range, and TCI was our luxury trip for the year.

This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: October 27, 2023

−−Content Menu

• 7-Day Budget for Traveling to Turks and Caicos
• Airfare
• Lodging
• Food
• Transportation
• Activities
• Total
• Planning Checklist

7-Day Turks and Caicos Budget to Help You Plan your Travels

We visited Turks and Caicos in 2015, but we’ve shown what we paid for each portion of our trip as well as adjusted prices for today. If you’ve visited recently and see any big price discrepancies, let us know so we can update it for future travelers!

Is turks and caicos expensive

In general, Turks and Caicos is considered an expensive destination. You can travel on a budget, but the island has a lot of high-end resorts. The activities, excursions, and food also cost more than other destinations.

Prices do fluctuate based on the season. Peak tourist season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April when prices will be the highest.

See More: 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos

Airfare

$1229 / Person – We took Delta from San Diego to Turks & Caicos. Find out the best price from your city here. Checking flights today, prices are similar for flights at the same time of year (we traveled to Turks and Caicos at the end of July to the beginning of August).

Food

$231.88 / Person – Food in general is more expensive than back home, but you can also choose how you want to eat and what you want to spend money on.

• Groceries
• Coco Bistro – Dinner
• Somerset BBQ Buffet
• Le Comptoir – Sandwiches for lunch
• Turks and Caicos Fish Fry
• Seaside Cafe
• Caicos Bakery – Pastries for lunch
• The Patty Place
• Thai Orchid
• Some pizza place we hated

Pro Tip: We highly recommend checking out Coco Bistro for dinner and Le Comptoir Francais for lunch. We also bought some groceries for snacks and breakfast. Keep in mind that groceries are really expensive, too. Orange juice started at $12, and a case of coronas was $69. Also, don’t buy the water in the plastic gallon jugs. They must leave them sitting out. We tried several brands, and they all tasted like plastic.

See More: Coco Bistro Turks and Caicos – A Meal You Don’t Want to Miss

Activities

$415 / Person

• Snorkel Safari -$105 (their website is currently down – may be out of business)
• Half Day Snorkel -$89 (now $125)
• Paddleboarding through the Mangroves -$95 (now $115)
• Conch Farm Tour -$12 (same price)
• Facial at The Somerset – $114 Esther only (prices start at $185 now)

We most recommend the Snorkel Safari and Stand Up Paddleboarding to give you a look at different parts of the island.

Pro Tip: If you plan to do water activities, pick up some of this lice lotion. The water lice (jellyfish larvae) stings will go away within a day or two, but it’s good to avoid it altogether.

See More: 15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

The post 7 Day Budget for Traveling to Turks and Caicos appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

Looking for the best place to eat in Turks and Caicos? Don’t miss Coco Bistro!

Coco Bistro was one of the restaurants that kept popping up when searching for the best food in Turks and Caicos. Not only do all the popular travel sites tell you to eat here, our friends highly recommended it, too. The restaurant is located in the largest palm grove on the island of Providenciales, which makes for relaxing outdoor seating area with natural coverage from the sun. As for the food, they use fresh ingredients to make elegant Caribbean cuisine.

This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: October 27, 2023

−−Content Menu

• About Coco Bistro
• Coco Bistro Address + Hours
• Full Menu & What We Ordered
• Reservations
• Coco the Cat
• Where to Stay
• Essential Tips
• Planning Checklist

About Coco Bistro

Coco Bistro is a renowned restaurant located in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. It’s one of the most popular dining establishments in the region, known for its intimate atmosphere and delicious cuisine.

Coco Bistro opened its doors in the late 1990s, and since then, it has become a culinary gem in Turks and Caicos. The restaurant is set in a romantic garden of palm trees, twinkling lights, and tiki torches, creating a magical ambiance for diners. It is famous for its creative menu that blends local flavors with international culinary techniques.

The restaurant serves Caribbean-inspired cuisine, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. Seafood, including conch (a local delicacy), is a staple on the menu. The chefs at Coco Bistro often incorporate tropical fruits, spices, and herbs to create dishes that are both flavorful and unique. The menu typically features a variety of seafood, steak, and vegetarian options, catering to a diverse range of tastes.

See More: 15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos

Coco Bistro Address + Hours

Coco Bistro doesn’t have an address but can be found on Google Maps. It’s also very well known so most locals can point you in the right direction.

Coco Bistro Restaurant
Grace Bay Road (next to Sunshine Nursery)
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (map)
cocobistro@tciway.tc
649.946.5369

Hours: Monday to Sunday 5 PM – 9:30 PM

See More: 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos

Full Menu & What We Ordered

The menu changes seasonally, but there are some staples always stick around. Click here to see the full menu.

Overall, Turks and Caicos hasn’t been our favorite destination for food, but Coco Bistro was the exception. They had great service and food. Otherwise, we knew we were mainly in TCI for the crystal clear water and a nice escape.

During our visit, we ordered (the starred items are still on the menu today!):

• Coco Bristro style Ahi Tuna Sashimi
• Spicy Lobster Soft Tacos
• Wild Mushroom Ravioli
• Grilled Shrimp Satay
• Roast Lamb Rack*
• Conch 2 Ways*

See More: 7 Day Budget for Traveling to Turks and Caicos

Reservations

Reservations are required at Coco Bistro. We made a reservation three days in advance during our visit in August, but during the busy season, you must make a reservation 2-3 weeks in advance. December is already half-booked.

To make a reservation, call (649) 946 5369 or (649) 232 8267, or email us at cocobistro@tciway.tc (they as fro 48 hours to respond to emails).

Coco the Cat

Also, you’ll probably see him while you’re there, but they have a resident cat named Coco. She has been at the restaurant every night for seven years and is friendly.

Essential Tips for Dining at Coco Bistro Turks and Caicos

• Make a reservation! We could make a reservation three days in advance during our visit in August. During the busy season, you must make a reservation 2-3 weeks advance. December is already half-booked.
• It’s a 15-minute walk from the town of Grace Bay. Take bikes if possible.
• Give yourselves plenty of time to eat. We spent 1.5-2 hours during our meal.
• Wear layers. Most seating is outdoors, so it could be warm or more fabulous with a light breeze, depending on the weather.
• Dress code: It’s an island, so we saw a wide range. Generally, I would say you want to be business casual, but there were also some folks in t-shirts and some in full suits and gowns.
• It’s a tropical island, so sometimes it rains for a few minutes throughout the day. They gave us the option to move inside or use umbrellas. They also had stands for the umbrellas, so you don’t have to hold them up while you eat, but we thought this was more fun! The coconut palms also shielded us from a lot of the rain.

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

The post Coco Bistro Turks and Caicos – A Meal You Don’t Want to Miss appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

The conch farm is located on the east side of Providenciales, and they offer a tour where you get to learn about the lifecycle of the conch and how the farm operates.

The first ten minutes of the tour are in a small presentation room where they walk through the lifecycle and breeding procedure. They show you the shell sizes and how much they grow each year.

Conch Metamorphosis through 5 months. They do their best to help the environment and use Turk’s Head Beer’s recycled hops and barley to feed the conch at the earliest stages.

Conch Shell Growth 6 Months to 2 Years:

This is at four years of age (7-8”) when they are harvested. It’s illegal to harvest them at this age anywhere else, but since they are the only commercial farm, they are allowed to harvest them at this time. When we asked why they harvest at four years, they said it’s when the conch is most tender.

After the presentation, the tour guide takes you to see the different areas of the farm. You get to see and pick up young conch that they keep in trays.

5000 conch are put in each of these offshore pens from 6 cm in size to approximately one-year-old. The juvenile conch live in a natural sandy habitat and feed on the algal substrate supplemented with conch feed. The pens are designed to exclude predators such as stingrays, porcupine fish, and turtles. There are 200 pens, which hold an inventory of 1 million conch.

Since Turks and Caicos is a natural habitat for conch, they are placed in pens in the water once they are old enough. Here, they naturally mate so that they can harvest the eggs.

At the end of the tour, you meet a male and female up close and personal. You can even pet them if you want! I had no idea what they looked like until we came to TCI. Pretty weird!

Since conch is endangered, they are even putting some of the conch back into the wild to encourage the natural population.

The tour itself is relatively short – only about 30 minutes – but it’s packed with information and a unique experience since it’s the only one in the world.

Pro Tips for Visiting the Caicos Conch Farm:

• They only take cash, so be sure you have enough!
• If you want to buy conch shells that don’t have holes, the farm is a great spot to do it. They have a method of harvesting conch that doesn’t require them to break the shell, as the fishermen do.
• Most of the conch we found in the wild were much larger and older.
• Make the most of your day and check out the mangroves while you’re on this side of the island.
• A cab ride from the conch farm to Grace Bay Town was $8 per person.

Caicos Conch Farm
Providenciales Turks and Caicos
649.946.5330
caicosconchfarm@aol.com

Hours:
Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM
Sat 9AM-2:30PM
Sunday CLOSED

Tour Prices:
Adults: $12.00
Children and Teens: $8.00
Under 4: Free

Have you eaten conch before?

The post Visiting the Only Conch Farm in the World in Turks and Caicos appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

Our two-bedroom suite was spacious and comfortable for our group of four. It was great to have a fully stocked kitchen and plenty of space to hangout in the living room. The balcony was also spacious and was covered in netting, so you didn’t have to worry about mosquitos or bugs!

Our office for the day:

Check out the view from our balcony!

The first afternoon we arrived, we had lunch at their Seaside Café. The food was reasonably priced and everything we ordered was good in comparison to the rest of the island. TCI isn’t a huge destination for food lovers, so you have to really dig deep to find good food. The fish sandwich we ordered was our favorite!

They had a really nice pool that winded around the center of their property where you can easily find your own quiet spot to hop in sans kids.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay here! It was in a great location and definitely worth the price. You can get a Studio Suite for as little as $229 / night. Our Two Bedroom unit with an Ocean View was $499 / night, and you can get a Three Bedroom Beachfront suite starting at $739 / night.

Pro Tips for Your Stay at Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos:

• If you want to be close to downtown Grace Bay with shops and restaurants, Ocean Club West is a great place to stay.
• With a full kitchen, you can pick up supplies at the local grocery store and make your own meals. Since we were on vacation, we ate out most of the time but did get breakfast foods to keep the mornings simple.
• Bug spray was under the kitchen sink, but we didn’t need it here.
• Ocean Club West has a spa and fitness room, a tennis court with racquets and balls, and bikes if you want to ride into town rather than walk. Their business center had a collection of DVDs that you could borrow from, too.
• There is a Scotia Bank next to the grocery store. You can withdraw here with no fees if you have a Bank of America account.
• If you want to avoid the crowds, visit between mid-August to October.
• For more tips, read 21 Things You Should Know Before Visiting TCI.
• For activities, read 15 Things You Must Do in Turks and Caicos.

Ocean Club West
Turks and Caicos Island British 1
800.457.8787

What amenities do you look for in a resort?
What’s the most unique resort you’ve stayed at?

Thank you, Ocean Club Resorts, for hosting our stay.
All opinions, photos, and text are our own.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

The post Affordable Luxury at Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

Island Vibes Tours offers a few different options (half-day, full-day, sunset, and private), but the most popular is the half-day snorkel. They start off by conveniently picking you up at the beach in front of your resort. The first thing we noticed was that it had a slide! They had both covered and uncovered seating, lounge chairs on the roof, and you could even sit on the front of the boat.

We spent about 45 minutes snorkeling at our snorkel spot, but unfortunately didn’t see too much. Someone else spotted a nurse shark, but not us. That’s just the nature of… well, nature. The best wildlife photographers can wait it out for days, months even!

Afterwards, we headed over to Half Moon Bay and anchored on the beach. As soon as we pulled up, a stingray greeted us, and we were able to get some great photos of him. Meanwhile, the captain and first mate started prepping a conch salad while we explored the island.

After trekking around, we finally found a rock iguana! While we were out looking for this guy, the rest of the group saw a lemon shark come by where the boat was docked. Can’t seem to be at the right place at the right time!

When we got back to the boat, they served the conch salad and rum punch and we headed to our last stop. It was party time. They turned up the music, and we got to jump off the diving board, use the slide, and even swim under the boat.

Overall, it was much more of a party boat than a snorkeling excursion. Their full-day BBQ adventure makes two stops, but it definitely focuses on you having an all-around fun experience. Despite the misunderstanding that we would have more than one snorkeling stop on a half-day snorkel tour, we had a great time. We were really excited to be able to be so up close with a sting ray, many others saw nurse and lemon sharks, the conch salad was delicious, and everyone on the boat was really nice and easy to get along with.

Pro Tips for Your Half-Day Snorkel with Island Vibes Tours:

• You provide a credit card when you book, but bring it on the boat. They take their full payment on the boat.
• Be sure to get fins that fit you right. If yours are too small, they’ll give you blisters. Bring your own if you have them.
• To help protect the coral, use coral safe sunscreen. Some tours will not allow you to participate unless you are using coral safe sunscreen.
• If you see any conch, dive for it and bring them on the ship. They’ll help you crack it open.
• Don’t forget to use this sea lice lotion to protect yourself from jellyfish and sea lice (jellyfish larvae). We were getting stung without even being able to see it happen.
• All of our photos were shot with a Canon 5D Mark III and 35 / 1.4 L lens in an Aquatech Elite Underwater Sport Housing and a Panasonic Lumix with Ikelite Housing.
• For more activities, read 15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos.
• Before booking your trip, read 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos.

Island Vibes Tours
info@islandvibestours.com
649.231.8423

Check out our vlog! At the end of the vlog you can see the conch “dancing” to music.

Would you want to go on a snorkeling-only tour or have a variety of experiences?
What are some snorkeling destinations you hope to visit next?

Thank you, Island Vibes Tours, for hosting our snorkeling adventure.
All photos, text, and opinions are our own.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

The post Snorkeling Turks and Caicos with Island Vibes Tours appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

Did you know that Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is the fastest-growing water sport in the world right now? We’ve been seeing them everywhere lately! Here at Local Adventurer, we’re always down for trying something new. You never know how you’ll do until you try, right?

I wanted to try paddleboard yoga but figured I should try paddleboarding first.

We booked a Mangrove Stand Up Paddleboarding Eco Tour with Big Blue Unlimited, who happened to have some of the best designed brochures on the islands. I’m telling you, I’m a sucker for packaging and design. Lucky for us, the book matched the cover. They also offered kayaking, kiteboarding, snorkeling, diving, biking, eco-tours, and more.

We started by getting some basic instructions from our guide. Then we hit the water and paddled around to get comfortable. We were a little nervous since we’ve never tried it before, but standing on the board was easier than we thought! The only thing that takes getting used to is steering your board and pushing your way through the currents.

While we were in the mangroves, we learned how much they help protect the islands and the ecosystem. We saw baby sharks, turtles, sting rays, upside-down jellyfish, and an assortment of fish. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to take photos while paddle boarding, so we didn’t get many photos of the creatures we saw.

This was the upside-down jellyfish. Have you seen our jellyfish photos from the Monterey Aquarium? They look like a rug when all bunched together. This was the first time we saw one out in the wild!

Did you know mangroves are freshwater plants but have adapted to saltwater? On the tour, we were told that each one has “a suicide leaf” that takes in all the salt and dies so that the rest can keep living. That would be pretty smart for a plant! Having a science background, I had to know more and discovered that recent studies show that the yellow (older) leaves don’t have more salt content in them than the rest. Boooo. I loved the suicide leaf theory!

The two-hour tour is a workout! Anytime you’re heading upwind you have to put work into it. The last stretch to get back to the launch point was hardest part. I was the least fit person in the group, and I wasn’t sure if I’d make it. I was paddling as hard as I could, and even with the slightest break you take, you’re back farther than where you started. I was about to throw in the towel and tell them to send a rescue boat to find me somewhere in the middle of the ocean (I have very little willpower to survive), but we eventually all made it!

Overall, we had a great time and got in a good workout. My favorite part was being able to see the turtles and baby sharks!

Pro Tips for the Mangrove Stand-Up Paddle Boarding with Big Blue Unlimited:

• SUP tours are based on high tide, so the times will vary daily.
• Push with the hand holding the top of the handle rather than pulling with the lower one. It’s so much easier on you. You switch hands depending on which side you’re paddling. Paddling on the right means your left hand is on top.
• Don’t forget to put sunblock on the top of your feet! Jacob’s got toasty! Big Blue Unlimited is one of the companies that only allow coral reef safe sunscreen to help protect the environment. If yours isn’t, they have them available for you to buy.
• Turks and Caicos is the best place to learn if you’ve never tried SUP. Many resorts have paddleboards for guests, and you can get plenty of practice on Grace Bay. We’ve never seen a beach with water so calm. Because there’s a barrier reef that’s a mile out, it breaks all the waves.
• All of our photos were shot with a Canon 5D Mark III and 35 / 1.4 L lens in an Aquatech Elite Underwater Sport Housing and a Panasonic Lumix with Ikelite Housing.
• They tell you if you bring your camera, it’s at your own risk, but we had no issues with leaving our camera sitting on the board between our feet while paddling.
• There are bins in the office where you can leave your stuff.
• Bring a secure hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved top (rash guard) for extra protection from the sun. It gets hot, and you’re not in the water to keep cool.
• Drink lots of water before the excursion. Your body will thank you. You won’t have access to any when you’re on the water.
• You can also explore the mangroves with their kayak tours. If you ride a two-person kayak, you and your partner can take turns resting.
• The Conch Farm is not too far from here. We walked because we were told it was a 10-minute walk. It was more like 40 mins. We would not recommend walking there.

Big Blue Unlimited
Leeward, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
649.946.5034

Have you tried stand-up paddleboarding?
Did you find it easy or difficult?
Is it something you’d like to try?

The post Baby Sharks! / Stand Up Paddle Boarding the Mangroves appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

A big thank you to the Somerset for hosting our stay. We can’t wait to visit again! All opinions, photos, and text are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

The room we stayed in was a one-bedroom with a one-and-a-half bath Ocean Villa.

All the appliances in the kitchen were Viking. We couldn’t help but be a little jealous.

View from our balcony:

We took full advantage of the whirlpool. It was so cool that it had a self cleaning / drying system. Can we please have one for our home?

We spent time on the beach when we weren’t in our room. There were chairs and umbrellas, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, & hobie cats for us to use. They also have a beautiful infinity pool and a reverse current lap pool in case you want to exercise!

They also have two restaurants on the premises: fine dining at Pavilion and casual dining at LunaSea Pool Bar & Grill. We didn’t get a chance to take full advantage of this, but we did attend the Beach BBQ that happens every Tuesday.

We also had breakfast at the Pavillion each morning. Continental one morning, and we splurged for some Shrimp and Grits and Eggs Benedict. The Shrimp and grits were my favorite! Yum!

The Spa at the Somerset on Grace Bay

If you want to pamper yourself, they have an onsite spa. My girlfriend and I ditched the boys one morning to get facials, while they took the hobie cat out on the water. I think we made the better choice. You can see more photos and details on facebook.

Unlike anywhere else we’ve stayed, each of The Somerset’s 53 villas and suites has its original character without giving up the consistent luxurious amenities. No matter which suite you stay in, you still have the marble floors, luxurious bathrooms, in-suite whirlpool tubs, and gourmet kitchens with Viking appliances. Here’s a preview of the view from the Dundee Penthouse, but you can see photos of a few rooms with different themes on our photo album here.

They all tell you that once you visit, it’s very rarely your last time. I think they may be right about that! Thank you, Urmas and Jasmine, for making our stay extra special.

Pro Tips for Your Stay at the Somerset on Grace Bay

• They provide complimentary bikes to get around town, paddleboards, and kayaks.
• The town of Grace Bay takes about 5 minutes on bike and 30 on foot. In the daytime, be sure to take the bikes! It’s first come, first serve.
• The rooms had washer and dryer units, so you could pack even lighter.
• You can add a water sports package to your room to include hobiecat rides and lessons.
• Get to know the different layouts and units, and you can book a specific room. They have 1 to 5 Bedroom units. You can see more photos on our photo album here.
• Be sure to check out their events, like Monday night drinks with the managers at the bar and Tuesday night Beach BBQs that you shouldn’t miss. Even if you aren’t staying at the Somerset, I encourage you to join the BBQ for good food and atmosphere!
• If you’re out of sunscreen, you can use their sunscreen bar at the pool towel station.
• Take advantage of the concierge. Jasmine was wonderful and helped us book an excursion that picked us up and dropped us off right on the beach!
• If you’re on a budget, the biggest drop in prices is in June through mid-Dec, which is 40% less than the winter rates and 2/3 less than the holiday rates.
• Before booking your trip, read 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos.
• Looking for activities? Read 15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos.

The Somerset on Grace Bay
Princess Dr Turks and Caicos
888.386.8779
reservations@thesomerset.com

What amenities do you look for in a resort?
What’s your favorite resort you’ve stayed at?

The post The Somerset on Grace Bay Turks and Caicos Luxury Resort appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

We kept hearing how Turks and Caicos has some of the top diving spots in the world, so we were hoping to get scuba certified before our trip but didn’t have enough time. The next best thing was snorkeling, so we went on their Snorkel Safari with three stops.

A bus picked us up at the hotel and took us to the marina, where we hopped on a boat. It was a glass bottom boat, but we couldn’t see much. At the end of the trip, they dropped us off on the beach in front of our hotel, which was convenient.

Our first snorkel site was in shallower water. The water was at most 15 feet deep and you could get up close and personal with the fish. We spent about 45 minutes at this spot.

Afterward, we headed to deeper waters (up to 60 ft) in hopes to see larger fish. Some other folks on our excursion spotted nurse sharks, lobster, and barracuda, but we didn’t see any!

Brain coral

Can you see the peacock flounder in both photos? It’s fascinating that he can constantly change colors to camouflage himself against the background. I barely noticed him.

On the way back, our friend caught a leatherback sea turtle on our GoPro, but we missed this also!

Our photos were all shot with a Canon 5D Mark III and 35 / 1.4 L lens in an Aquatech Elite Underwater Sport Housing and a Panasonic Lumix with Ikelite Housing.

Is This Turks and Caicos Snorkeling Excursion Worth It?

Overall, if you’re looking to do a lot of snorkeling, this is your best option. It’s about as much as you can get. I’m not as strong of a swimmer, so I was completely exhausted during our 2nd stop, and most everyone was beat by the 3rd that we headed back to the boat early.

In hindsight, I would recommend the Beach Cruise (the most popular excursion with up to two snorkel stops, and you spend some time on another island) or the conch cruise, which was what we originally wanted to do but wasn’t available when we were booking. The conch cruise has two snorkel spots; at your second spot, you free dive for your own conch. Afterward, they make a salad out of it, and you are free to take your conch shell home as a souvenir. If you do this excursion, let us know how it is!

Pro Tips for Turks and Caicos Snorkeling with Silver Deep:

• They provide you with snorkel gear, but I hope to bring my own next time. I had trouble with water getting into my mask even after I tried switching them out.
• They also provide soft drinks, snacks, and rum punch (the island specialty). They even showed us how to crack and remove the conch and let us try some on the boat!
• Be sure to get fins that fit you correctly. Jacob’s was a little too small, and he got blisters.
• To help protect the coral, get coral-safe sunscreen. Some tours do not allow you to participate unless you have coral-safe sunscreen on.
• You can dive for any conch that you see and bring it on the ship. They’ll help open it.
• There is a thing called water lice (basically jellyfish larvae) that isn’t visible to the naked eye. We would get annoying stings periodically, so pick up some of this lotion to protect yourself from jellyfish and sea lice.

Check out our vlog! At the end of the vlog you can see the conch “dancing” to music. :P

This video was shot with our GoPro and the Panasonic Lumix with Ikelite Housing.

Snorkel Safari $105 per person
Conch Cruise $99 per adult and $60 per child age 2-10
Beach Cruise $99 per adult and $60 per child age 2-10

Silver Deep
info.silverdeep@gmail.com
(649) 946-5612

Have you been snorkeling before?
Where has your favorite snorkeling destination been?

The post Turks and Caicos Snorkeling Safari appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

Looking for the best things to do in Turks and Caicos? Don’t miss these activities if you’re visiting for the first time.

Turks and Caicos is the perfect beach getaway if you’re looking for quiet, pristine beaches. The water is so beautiful! We spent half our time on the beach but also found plenty of other fun activities that TCI offered. Here’s what we thought was most worthwhile.

If you haven’t already, read 21 Things You Must Know Before Traveling to Turks and Caicos.

This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: May 11, 2025

−−Content Menu

• What You Need to Know Before You Go
• 15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos
• Map of Things to Do in Turks & Caicos
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Best Places to Stay in Turks & Caicos
• Planning Checklist
• More Resources

15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos

1. Scuba Diving

Turks and Caicos has some of the world’s best scuba diving spots. They have the third-largest barrier reef system in the world, and you’ll find a wide array of fish, lobsters, turtles, and sharks. If you’re lucky, you can even meet Jojo, a lone dolphin and national treasure to TCI. We hoped to get scuba-certified before our trip but didn’t have time.

Check out these dive sites: West Caicos Walls (West Caicos), McDonald’s Arch (Grand Turk), and Molasses Reef (French Cay).

See More: 25 Best Dive Sites in the World to Put on Your Bucket List

2. Snorkeling →

Snorkeling is great in TCI for the same reason as diving. We went on two different snorkeling tours, one with Island Vibe Tours and the other with Silver Deep. If you also want to try exploring on your own off the beach, the most popular spots are Smith’s Reef and Bight Reef in Princess Alexandra National Park. You can bring your own snorkel gear, or many nicer resorts will provide them for you.

Pro Tip: It’s much nicer using your own gear rather than the rentals. Check out our guide on how to pack for an epic snorkeling trip here.

See More: Photo Guide to the Snorkel Safari with Silver Deep

3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking THrough the Mangroves →

The mangroves are important to the ecology of the islands. They also act as a nursery to baby sharks, turtles, and more. You can get up close and personal to these animals on a stand up paddle board or kayak. We went with Big Blue.

See More: Photo Guide to the Stand Up Paddle Board Eco Tour

4. Chalk Sound National Park

Chalk Sound, TKCA 1ZZ, map

This turquoise lagoon on the southwest of Providenciales is home to hundreds of small rocky islands. The water is clean and no powered watercrafts are allowed in the sound. Keep your eye out for rock iguanas, bonefish, and barracudas. You may even catch a lemon shark or stingray swimming around.

If you’re looking for a good workout, you can also do stand up paddle boarding and kayaking here. Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay are officially outside of the park, but are still considered to be part of the area. They’re perfect for families with small children, since the sand is finer than other beaches and the water is very shallow and calm for swimming.

5. KiteSurfing Lessons

Turks and Caicos is still somewhat of an undiscovered destination among kite surfers, but the wind and water conditions on the Atlantic side make it some of the best in the world for beginners and seasoned pros. A popular spot is Long Bay, which is only 5 minutes away from Grace Bay.

6. Conch Cruise

This is one we were hoping to do but wasn’t available on the days we wanted to go. You get to snorkel along the barrier reef and then free dive for your very own conch. Afterwards, they show you how to open it up and make a fresh conch salad for you.

Most other snorkel trips also have their captains dive for conch and then make conch salad for you, but the only difference is on this one, they specifically help you find your own.

7. Tour the Only Conch Farm in the World →

The first and only commercial conch farm in the world is only an 8-10 minute drive from Grace Bay. You learn a lot about their lifecycle, see them in different stages, and you can even pet one at the end if you want! The tour is informative but short. It lasts about 30 minutes, 10 minutes of which is an indoor presentation.

Since we already got to see conch on our snorkeling trips, Jacob didn’t find it worth the money. Though I wouldn’t put this at the very top of my list of things to do, I would recommend it if you have the time!

See More: Your Guide to the One and Only Conch Farm in the World

8. Hang Out with Iguanas at Little Water Cay (Iguana Island)

21.8360192,-72.152657, map

Whether it’s a pit stop on a snorkeling tour, or a dedicated tour to Iguana Island, check out these critters that dig burrows in the sand. They’re good at blending in so keep your eye out.

9. Sunbathing on Grace Bay’s White Sand Beach

It’s so crystal clear, and with the white sand reflecting the light, it felt like we were swimming in the world’s biggest swimming pool. The barrier reef a mile out breaks all the waves, so it’s also the calmest beach we’ve ever been to. The only waves we got were caused by boats. 

Pro Tip: Sometimes you can see nurse sharks that swim up pretty close to shore here and at Leeward Beach.

See More: Our Amazing Stay at the Somerset on Grace Bay

10. Horseback Riding in the Water

Even if you’ve ridden a horse before, there are few places you can ride along such beautiful beaches. You also get to take the horses into the shallow waters for a truly unique experience.

11. Island Fish Fry

Lower Bight Rd, The Bight Settlement TKCA 1ZZ, map

Every Thursday, the Island’s Local Fish Fry at the Bight Children’s Park (on Lower Bight Road) brings out the tourists and locals alike to mingle. Dozens of food vendors, entertainers, and cultural acts come together to create a great evening from 5:30 to 9:30PM.

Although this helps bridge the gap between tourists and locals, most tourists tend to come early for the overpriced food and leave early, while most locals come later and stay late for drinks and dancing.

12. Conch Bar Caves aka Middle Caicos Caves

TKCA 1ZZ, map

Conch Bar Caves is the biggest cave system that’s above-ground in the Bahamas-Turks and Caicos archipelago. They get their name from a nearby village Conch Bar, but we found a lot of tour companies referring to them as the Middle Caicos Caves.

You can book with most tour companies, but since it’s a long travel day from Providenciales, we’ve heard they typically have only one tour a week, because they don’t book up as quickly. If there isn’t a tour available, and you really want to go, you can ride the $50 ferry over and get a $70 rental car to explore on your own.

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.

Visiting Turks and Caicos? This is what you need to know before you go.

We just got back from Turks and Caicos last week, and we’ve already heard several of you are heading there this fall or winter! We loved it so much; we’re so excited for those of you going.

This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: May 11, 2025

−−Content Menu

• Where is Turks and Caicos
• 21 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos
• Where to Stay
• Planning Checklist
• More Resources

Where is Turks and Caicos Located?

Turks and Caicos is in the Caribbean, just south of the Bahamas. We explored Providenciales (Provo), the largest island in population, and was voted the best beach destination in the world by Tripadvisor in 2022.

9. Cruises

Cruises do not go to the Caicos Islands because of the barrier reef. You will most likely be visiting Grand Turks, which relies heavily on cruise tourism. They only have a few resorts, whereas Provo Island has more resorts, excursions, and food options.

See More: The Best Time to Go on a Cruise – Your Essential Cruise Calendar + What to Pack for a Cruise

12. Lobster Season

If you want to eat lobster, go between Aug 15 and April 1st. When it is not lobster season, it is illegal to catch them, and you won’t find them in restaurants.

13. Diving / Snorkeling

Turks and Caicos has the 3rd largest barrier reef and several top diving spots in the world. If you have ever considered getting scuba-certified, do it before this trip! We didn’t have time to get certified and missed out on incredible dive sites. 

If you have your own gear, bring them! There are plenty of snorkeling spots where you can enter from the beach. The Bight Reef and Smith’s Reef are popular spots. Excursions provide you with gear, but the quality can vary. Some of the nicer resorts also provide free snorkel gear.

See More: How to Pack for a Snorkeling Trip + Snorkel Safari at Turks and Caicos

17. Eating Conch

Turks and Caicos is known for its abundance of conch. They have the first and only commercial conch farm in the world. We also caught so many during our snorkeling trip. Many excursions will include a conch salad. Conch are also becoming endangered, but the government does not have regulations on fishing them.

See More: Visiting the Only Conch Farm in the World

20. Excursions in Middle Caicos

If you want to visit the Conch Caves of Middle Caicos, expect to do a full-day excursion. Most companies will only book one tour a week.

Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

The post 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos appeared first on Local Adventurer » Travel Adventures in Las Vegas + World Wide.